On I-Day, Mayawati rues lack of central assistance

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Monday accused the central government of not making efforts to curb backwardness in the country`s most populous state.

In her Independence Day speech, Mayawati said: "We are still to receive any financial assistance under the Rs.80,000 crore package we had sought from the centre for undertaking developmental projects, particularly in Bundelkhand and Poorvanchal regions."

But she said "with its limited resources, our government on a large scale has taken several schemes for the welfare of the people of the regions".

The Chief Minister made the comments after unfurling the tricolour in front of the state assembly here. She also awarded medals to three police officers at a ceremonial function.

Mayawati said the country had achieved several milestones in various sectors after independence. "Sill several of our goals are yet to be fulfilled. Setting up an equalitarian system is one of them."

She said maintaining law and order was the top priority of her government and that had curbed crime in the state.

"It`s only owing to the serious efforts of our government that crime against women and (marginalised) people is low in Uttar Pradesh in comparison to other states."

She said her government had taken steps to develop some of the Maoist-affected areas.

Her government had launched a number of welfare schemes in the last four years "to upgrade the living standards of poor and downtrodden".

"A lot of work has been done for providing basic amenities in rural areas. For the benefit of the farmers, we implemented a new land acquisition policy after inviting suggestions from farmers. We want to involve farmers in the development of the country."

She said her government was serious about generating employment opportunities.

"Our government approved recruitment of around 88,000 primary teachers, and created 2.25 lakh new posts in police department."